Russia vs Saudi Arabia World Cup 2018 as it happened: Latest score, goals and updates as hosts lead in Moscow
The hosts kick off the tournament and win 5-0 at the Luhzniki Stadium
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Your support makes all the difference.After months of anticipation, World Cup 2018 finally gets underway on Thursday as hosts Russia take on Saudi Arabia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
Little is expected of Russia at the tournament, but their best chance of qualifying for the knockout stage involves beating a nation making their first World Cup appearance since 2006.
Saudi Arabia enter the competition led by their third coach in less than a year, and know only a positive result against Russia will give them hope of being competitive in a wide open Group A.
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What time is kick-off?
Russia vs Saudi Arabia kicks off at 4pm.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be broadcast live on ITV. Coverage begins with the opening ceremony at 2:30pm.
Odds:
Russia: 7/15
Saudi Arabia: 10/1
Draw: 37/10
Prediction:
Russia 1-0 Saudi Arabia: The hosts will get the positive start they so desperately want, but it won’t be easy.
90+4 mins: GOAL! RUSSIA 5 SAUDI ARABIA 0:
Should be, but isn't! This free-kick of fine precision, curled over the wall by Aleksandr Golovin and into the right corner of the net is. It's a lovely finish, and a goal deserved by the left-sided midfielder, whose technique has troubled Saudi Arabia all night. It may be a scoreline that flatters Russia, but you cannot argue with the quality of the five goals they have scored. After all the pessimism surrounding Stanislav Cherchesov's team in the build-up to the tournament, they have hit the ground sprinting.
After racking up five goals in the opener, Russia really could do with grinding out two goalless bore draws in their next games to ensure their progress to the knockout stages. Does anyone know where they could find such a tactical mastermind?
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